Number of external links in content

With the PublishPress Checklists plugin, you can require a maximum and minimum number of external links in your WordPress content. If the content does not have the correct number of external links, you can choose to show a warning, or prevent the post from being published.

We define “external links” as any a href link to URL on another website.

Many sites want to prevent a large number of external links because it can harm their site's search engine optimization.

  • Go to Checklists > Settings. The image below shows the internal links option.
  • You can choose from “Disabled, Recommended, or Required” options.
  • You can choose “Who can ignore this task?“
  • You can enter choices for “Min” and “Max”.
External Links Task
External Links Task

If you enable this external links option, it will be visible when you edit content.

If you do not have the correct number of external links, this task will be marked in red in the sidebar:

External Links Red
External Links Red

If you do have the correct number of external links, this task will be marked in green in the sidebar:

External Links Green
External Links Green